POPULAR POLICEMAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11223, 31 May 1922, Page 3

POPULAR POLICEMAN.

CONSTABLE McANERIN RETIRES. PRESENTATION BY KARORI RESIDENTS. A meeting of the residents of Karori was hold at the Council Chambers last night for the .purpose of making a presentation to Mr W. H. McAnerin, who is retiring from the local police force on superannuation. There was a good attendance, and Councillor B. G. H. Burn, on behalf of the people of Karori, presented the retiring constable with a wellfilled wallet of bank-notes. In doing &o, Mr Burn spoke of the long and faithful service that Mr McAneriii had rendered to the district, of ’bis unfailing courtesy, and of his willingness to assist anybody who sought his help and advice. He wished both him and Mrs McAnerin long life and happiness to enjoy his well-earned rest. Councillor John Burns and Messrs C. J. Dasent, I. Sykes. B. Mabin, and L. Davis also referred eulogistically to the way in which Mr McAnerin had carried out his duties as borough constable, and the latter »uitably and feelingly responded. Constable McAnerin had served fortyone years in the New Zealand Police Force, and had been stationed at Karori for nearly thirteen years. During his many years* service. Constable McAnerin has passed through some stirring episodes. Joining the Armed Constabulary on September 9th, 1881, lie served in No. 5 Company under Captain Gordon, and was a participant in th© raid at Parihaka. With others, I ho was afterwards transferred to Pukearuhe (White Cliffs), and in 1884 he took up civil police duty in Wellington. Serving in Wellington for five years. Constable McAnerin in 1892 went to Westport, where he was stationed for nearly a year. About this time New Plymouth was troubled with housebreakers, and people were also being bailed up and robbed, so McAnerin was sent up there to arrest the offender. He remained in New Plymouth from April 28th, 1893, until April' 15th, 1896, when, owing to drunkenness and disorderly conduct amongst natives and Europeans in the ICing Country, the Police Department decided to open a station at the Mokau. To this station Constable McAnerin was detailed for duty, and many and varied were the experience® he had. At that time the country was Toadlcss, and there were no bridges. There was no other constable nearer than ’Waitara, which, was 47 miles away, and Constable McAnerin on long* 3001 neys very often had to ford rivers through quicksand, and pass around dangerous points on the sea coast. In April, 1904, he moved to Otaki. and on May 27th. 1908, he came back to Wellington, being appointed to Thorn don quay. Constable McAnerin was stationed at Thorndon quay until August 3rd, 1909. when he was transferred to Kaiori, where he has served ever since.